Pig treats! Homemade oatmeal pumpkin bars

Are you tired of giving your piggies the same-old boring treats? Sure, they’ll eat anything, but why not make a special treat that’s healthy for them and sure to please? This recipe for homemade oatmeal pumpkin bars is easy to prepare, and pig-tested and approved!

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

For this recipe, you’ll need:

*1 1/2 cup steel cut oats

*1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or another type of plant-based milk)

*2 cups ground flaxseed meal

*29oz canned or fresh pureed 100% pumpkin (do NOT use pie pumpkin)

*1 tsp cinnamon

*1/2 cup dried cranberries (or raisins)

*1/2 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds (or a mixture of both!)

*1 tbsp coconut oil

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375° F

Step 2: Gather your ingredients (see picture above for brand ideas)

Step 3: Combine oats, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, and almond milk in a large mixing bowl and mix together thoroughly

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 4: Add the pumpkin to the mixture, stirring in a little at a time. When complete, your mixture should be fairly thick and have a gooey consistency

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 5: Prepare a 9×13″ baking pan for the bars. You want to melt the coconut oil to coat the pan with; this can be done in the microwave or on the stove. Coconut oil has a relatively low melting point, so if you choose to microwave, cover the bowl with a paper towel to avoid a mess, and microwave in 20 second increments until melted. Coat the pan with the melted oil using a brush

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 6: Evenly spread the mixture onto the pan, pressing into the corners of the pan.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 7: Add the dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds to the top, making sure you lightly press into the batter so they stick.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bars

Step 8: Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick pressed into the center of the tray comes out clean. Allow 10-15 minutes to cool prior to cutting and serving to your piggy pals.

The three little piggies can't wait to try these delicious snacks!
The three little piggies can’t wait to try these delicious snacks!

Piggies love snacks! What should you offer your potbelly?

Any pig owner will tell you that potbellies love snack time! Like any pet, snacks are great for rewarding positive behavior, training, and for the pigs, to supplement a diet of pig pellets. There are many snacks available–after all, pigs love to eat and will take just about anything offered–but not all choices are good for your piggy. We’ve compiled a list of recommended healthy snacks, and snacks that are good in limited quantities, for your pig. You will find that your pig might not like certain foods; like humans, pigs will develop a taste preference for certain fruits and vegetables. For example, two of our pigs will not eat bell peppers, but the other will!

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